See how much fees have risen at Victorian private schools and how much you may pay in future

An analysis of private school fees since 2013 has revealed the schools putting struggling families under increased pressure, and where fees could be headed by 2033. See the full list.

De La Salle College fee increases have been as low as possible in recent years. Picture: Mark Stewart

Middle-income parents are now paying up to 25 per cent of their take-home pay on private schooling, with rising fees putting increased pressure on struggling families.

Private education costs have soared in recent years, with parents from the same schools paying up to ten per cent more of their incomes now compared to ten years ago.

Rising teacher wages, mounting capital costs, state payroll tax increases and projected federal funding decreases are all putting financial pressure on schools.

Herald Sun analysis of the 2013 and 2023 school fees of 25 Catholic andindependent schools show the biggest growth in fees in the last decade has been at mid-level schools.

Fees at Siena College, Whitefriars College and De La Salle College, now account for 25 per cent, 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively of after-tax adult wages. Ten years ago, Siena a parent paid 14 per cent of their take-home pay on school fees, a Whitefriars parent paid 16 per cent and De La Salle 13 per cent.

At Marcellin College, the fees have gone from $8,700 to $14,000 in the past ten years, rising from 15 to 19 per cent of take-home pay.

Parents are sharing details of school fee stress on social media, with some schools even holding parties for year 12 mums and dads who have paid their final bill.

“It’s getting harder and harder to find the money,” one parent said. “I know it’s worth it but it’s tough.”

Peter Houlihan, principal of De La Salle College, said the Malvern school sought to “keep fees as affordable as possible, despite the challenges of increasing costs and changes to government funding”.

An artist impression of the entrance to Marcellin College opposite the smoke stack. Picture: Supplied

“Our fees are fully inclusive of a wide range of programs including school camps, excursions, and a laptop and IT support for every student,” he said.

“We are proud of the educational offering we have developed at the College, and value the strong partnerships we have built with our families,” he said.

In more recent years, De La Salle College fee increases have been as low as possible: 0.0 per cent in 2021, 0.9 per cent in 2022 and 3.5 per cent in 2023.

Elizabeth Hanney, principal of Siena College, said the school was “committed to keeping costs as low as possible, without compromising the quality of the education offered to students”.

She said that “when considering fee increases, Siena College is very conscious of the sacrifice our parents and supporters make to allow our students to receive the very best educational programs”.

These comments come as top level private schools such as Xavier College, St Michael’s Grammar, Carey Grammar and Trinity Grammar now account for between 48 and 51 per cent of average adult after-tax wages. This is up from 38 to 43 per cent in 2013.

At the lower level, fees have remained more stable, accounting for 10 per cent of take-home wages in 2013 at Mazenod, Emmaus and Loyola Colleges and rising to 11 and 12 per cent in 2023.

Marian College’s fees remained stable on 3 per cent, despite rising from $1600 to $2,500 from 2013 to 2023.

Dr Edward Simons, executive director of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools, said he recognised the “significant cost of living pressures faced by our families”.

“That’s why Catholic schools strive to keep fees as low as possible to remain accessible and affordable to families seeking a Catholic education.

“We support thousands of students from low-income families every year, in times of financial stress and hardship. This includes fee relief tailored to each individual family’s needs,” Dr Simons said.

Shock amount fees will soar to in future

Private school fees will rise 14 per cent in the next five years and 30 per cent by 2033, expert projections show.

The analysis by Futurity Investment Group projects the average cost of a year of Catholic secondary schooling rise from $14,200 in 2023 to $18,500 a year a decade later.

Independent secondary school fees and school costs will rise from $22,800 to $29,500 between 2023 and 2033, the modelling shows. This includes all tuition fees, and payments for computers, uniforms, stationary, electives, outside tuition and camps.

This means the cost of educating a student starting prep this year in a Catholic school could be $175,000 in total over 13 years.

The cost of an average independent school could be as much as $278,000 for the next 13 years.

At a top school like Geelong Grammar, the day tuition fees alone are now $42,000 and could reach more than $54,000 by 2033. When other educational costs are taken into account, one child could cost more than half a million dollars in after-tax income over their school years.

For two children, this adds up to more than 30 per cent more than the cost of a median house in 2023.

The David William Robert Knox Equestrian Centre at Geelong Grammar School allows boarding students to bring their ponies with them. But parents pay for the privilege.

Such costs are not yet deterring parents from private schools. In 2022 3.3 per cent more students enrolled in private schools last year compared to 2021.

Futurity Investment Group executive Kate Hill said that “more than ever, the costs associated with education are placing more of a burden on Australian families who are already stretched by the spiralling cost of living”.

“Increases to school fees, some of which may exceed the current inflation rate, will add to the cost of living for hundreds of thousands of Australians, many of which are already stretched to breaking point,” she said.

Mr Graham Catt, CEO of independent Schools Australia, said many parents “make considerable sacrifices to send their child to an independent school that matches their child’s needs, and aligns with their values”.

“The costs of running a school have increased dramatically over the last few years, and salaries are the largest expense for most schools,” he said.

“The median fee charged by independent schools in 2023 just under $5,300, so half of all independent schools charge less than this annually.”

Yallambie couple Kiran and Sunny Jadhav are forking out a large slice of their income on Victoria’s private school fees – but they’re adamant it is a worthwhile investment.

Daughter Sachi, 18, will this year join her fellow Year 12 pupils in graduating from Ivanhoe Grammar School in Melbourne’s northeast with her proud-as-punch parents watching on.

Parents Kiran and Sunny Jadhav, with their daughter Sachi 18, who is a year 12 Ivanhoe Grammar student. Picture: David Caird

“Before making the decision to send our girls to a private school, my wife and I had to set our mindset, and it became an incredibly significant aspect for both of us,” Mr Jadhay said.

“It can be stressful at times, paying the fees for the private school does present its challenges. However, it also offers us a unique opportunity to instil valuable life lessons in our girls.

Mr Jadhay said he hoped their commitment to privately educate their daughters demonstrated to them the importance of chasing their dreams with “resilience and perseverance.”

“As long as they appreciate our dedication to their education and recognise the value we place on their growth and future success, we find comfort in knowing that we are making a meaningful investment in their lives.”